“Mine are on file with the state. As a teacher, I had to be fingerprinted,” Annie said.
“No problem,” Dewey said and added, “Sheriff, I will need to talk to you about something very personal shortly, after this storm blows over.”
“Fine, son, but let’s do wait until this storm settles down. Worst should be over in a day or two. When Danny and I are finished eating, I’m heading back to the office and sending Danny back on patrol. Annie and George, with your approval, I would like to have Charlene come stay with everyone else on your lanai. She lives alone, and I would feel safer.”
“We would be happy to have Charlene join us. We have plenty of food,” Annie said.
Dewey went over to Kyle and said quietly, “Your wife got very upset when she heard about what happened to the Okamotos. Maybe you could talk to her. Looks like this hit her hard.”
“She’ll be fine. She needs to rest and let it all soak in,” Kyle said, almost ignoring Dewey.
Annie looked at George and shook her head. Neither could believe the indifference Kyle was showing to Layla.
Everyone was fed; Dewey helped Annie and George with cleanup while the three men rested briefly. Danny and the sheriff got back into their rain garb and slowly headed back up the walkway. Kyle stretched out on a chaise lounge and went to sleep.
Layla walked over to Annie and softly asked if she could have another cup of coffee. Annie poured each of them a cup, and they sat at the table. Annie told her about her teaching career and what she had been doing since her retirement. They talked quietly for almost an hour, each enjoying the other’s company. Dewey sat close by, not missing a word as he became more and more enraptured with Layla, his angel. George noticed the look on Dewey’s face and shook his head; he was going to have a fatherly talk with that boy.
Mr. Soo, finally full, rested his head on his arms, fast asleep. Even though the wind and rain were hard to live with, the heavy humidity was making everyone lethargic.
Late that afternoon, Mr. Soo went back to his home to check on Mrs. Soo. Dewey went with him to help carry a couple more chaise lounges back to George and Annie’s as their growing guest list would need more space to stretch out during the night hours.
The next twenty-four hours, people came and went, ate and slept. The storm began to wane late the following afternoon. Danny came by to tell everyone that power would be back up for most of the city within three hours and telephone service should be up by the next morning. Kyle asked about the flights to Maui, and Danny said Maui runways had to be visually gone over very carefully and the wind had to die down more, but interisland flights were expect to resume in twenty-four to thirty hours. The sheriff would let him know when he should contact Kim. He also mentioned he should not tell Kim the extent of what happened only that there had been an accident at the market and Kyle could pick Kim up at the airport and explain the details at that time.
Kyle agreed that was the best plan and said he would be waiting anxiously to contact his friend.
CHAPTER 11
Kyle sat in the sheriff’s office, ready to make the call to Kim at his hotel in Oahu.
“Anytime you’re ready, Doc,” the sheriff said.
Kyle dialed the hotel’s phone number and extension for Kim’s room. The phone rang a couple of times, and Kim answered in a sleepy voice, “Kim here.”
“Kim, it’s Kyle.”
“Kyle, buddy, how did you weather the storm?”
“We did just fine. A group of us ended up on George and Annie Boone’s lanai and spent a couple of nights and days there. They had tons of food. We ate like royalty.”
“Wow, that’s great. No damage to Mr. Wong’s place?”
“No, it came through the storm just fine. Had a lot of wind, rain, and high surf but no damage.”
“Who was in your lanai group?”
“Layla and I, Mr. Soo, Dewey the windsurfer guy, and Charlene from the sheriff’s office spent the nights.”
“Mr. Soo, I bet he ate all the junk food he could. Probably had George cooking hamburgers a couple times a day.”
Kyle laughed. “Sounds like you know Mr. Soo. What a character.”
“Annie and George are terrific people. Annie was one of my teachers in school, neat lady. George worked wonders with a bunch of us uncoordinated kids teaching us volleyball. He was a big star at Stanford.”
“I didn’t know that. They are great people, very generous with their hospitality. Kim, why I called was to let you know there has been an accident at the market, and I think you had better get here on the next flight.”
“Are Mom and Dad all right?” Kim asked anxiously.
“Get the first plane to Maui, call me with that information, and I’ll explain when I pick you up at the airport.”
“I’ll make the reservation right away, and I’ll let you know when to meet the plane. Tell my folks I’ll be there just as soon as I can.”
“Fine, I’m going to hang up now so you can make that reservation.” Kyle disconnected the line. He looked at the sheriff and said, “Kim wants me to tell his folks he’ll be here as soon as possible. It’s going to be very difficult to tell him what happened.”
“After you pick up Kim, both of you come back here, and we all will go to the county coroner together. Not a pleasant task but something that has to be done. I assume that Kim will be staying with you and Layla. We can’t have him staying at the market residence. The forensic unit is still going over things.”
“Of course,” Kyle said. Although he had not discussed it with Layla, he was sure she was able to figure out that Kim could not stay at the market and would stay with them in the spare room at Mr. Wong’s.
Annie was carrying an armful of freshly washed and dried clothes to Layla for her to pack up and take back with her. As she entered the spare room, Layla was sitting on the side of the bed, her head in her hands, sobbing. Annie dropped the clothes on the dresser and sat next to Layla, putting her arm around her shoulder.
“Layla, what’s the matter?” Are you feeling OK? What can I do to help?”
“Annie, I’m sorry to be such a burden. I just don’t know how I’m going to handle this situation. I realized that Kim would being staying with us. I’m sure it isn’t possible for him to stay at the market residence, and besides, he probably wouldn’t want to do that anyway.”
Annie looked at Layla, so thin and pale, and Annie’s heart ached for her. She hugged her a little tighter and said, “Let me go talk to George. I think we can work something out.”
Annie walked out to the back lanai where George was cleaning up after so many guests and so many meals. He was working on getting the barbecue back to ready. “Honey, we need to help Layla. She is distraught, and I don’t blame her.”
“What’s the matter?” George asked.
“She can’t face going back to that house and have Kim there once he finds out what has happened to his parents. Her grief is so great, I don’t think she can take any more. Honey, can we suggest that she stay here with us for a while? You and she can go over there before Kyle and Kim arrive and get the rest of her things and leave Kyle’s clean clothes along with a note telling him she will be staying with us for a few more days. She and Kyle can work things out later, but right now, she needs our help.” Annie reached out and touched George’s arm.
George put his arm around Annie and drew her into him. “If she agrees, she and I can get started right away.”
“Thank you, I know she needs us right now. I’ll go tell her what we’ve agreed on.”
Annie returned to Layla’s side. “I spoke with George, and we’ve come up with an idea that I think you will like. We’ll pack all of Kyle’s clean things in a bag, and you and George go to Mr. Wong’s. Once there, pack up all your things, leave Kyle a note saying you will be staying with us for a while, and leave all his clean clothes. You and George can bring you
r things back here. This room is yours for as long as you like. How does that sound?”
Layla sniffed, took the sleeve of her T-shirt, and wiped her eyes. “Annie, do you and George really mean it? You would do this for me?”
“Of course, George and I are pleased that we can do this. I like having you here.”
Fresh tears came to Layla’s eyes as she hugged Annie. “Thank you both so much.”
Annie separated Layla’s clean clothes from Kyle’s and placed his in a fresh plastic bag. Layla placed her things in the dresser drawer and hung a few things back in the closet. She felt a calm coming over her as she performed these simple tasks. Now she just wanted to get over to Mr. Wong’s, get her things, and get back to George and Annie’s.
“Annie, tell George I’m ready to go.”
“George will be glad to get a break from his cleanup duties.”
Annie and Layla went to the lanai. George saw them coming and put his T-shirt back on and smiled. “Ladies, at your service.”
“Honey, Layla is ready to get her things from Mr. Wong’s. I don’t think it will take too long. She said she hadn’t unpacked much, so you can be back in no time working on your grill,” Annie said in a teasing tone.
“Oh, I can’t think of anything I would rather be doing. I love cleaning the grill. Come on, Layla, we’ll get this done, then you and Annie can fix me lunch. I need a reward after all my hard work.”
Layla quickly gathered up her bags, placed Kyle’s clean clothes on the bed, and left him a brief note where she would be staying. She decided she would not explain her reason. If he wanted to know more he could ask her, but she knew he wouldn’t bother.
In less than half an hour, Layla was back in her room at George and Annie’s, putting away her things. She would join Annie in the kitchen shortly and help her prepare lunch. She was looking forward to the warmth of this house and of the two loving people that called it home.
CHAPTER 12
Kyle waited at the arrival area for Kim’s plane. He dreaded telling Kim what happened but knew it was the least he could do for his good friend. He saw the plane land and, within fifteen minutes, saw Kim walking toward him.
Kim approached with a big grin and grabbed Kyle by the shoulders, saying, “Hi, buddy, good to see you. That storm was quite an experience. Knocked out some of the ocean-facing windows at the hotel, scary. Let’s get my luggage. I’m anxious to see Mom and Dad. I hope things aren’t too bad at the store. There must have been serious damage. That’s why they needed me here so quickly.”
They retrieved the luggage and went to Kyle’s rental. They loaded the luggage and got in. Kyle locked the doors, started the car, and turned on the air conditioner. He placed his arms on the steering wheel and bowed into his arms. “Kim, I have terrible news for you. I’m afraid it is much more serious than you ever could imagine.”
“What the hell happened?”
Kyle explained that between the time they dropped his parents off and when Annie Boone had come at 6:30 a.m. to pick up a can of Yuban, someone had murdered his parents. He left out the manner they were murdered, deciding the sheriff could provide that detail.
Kim looked at Kyle, grabbing his arm. “Is this some type of sick joke? This can’t be happening. I was ready to tell my parents they could retire. I would be able to take care of them. They could now enjoy life as they had always dreamed.”
“Kim, I’m so sorry, this is no joke.”
“Who did this to my parents?”
“The sheriff and a team from the county are investigating, but because of the storm, a lot of the forensic evidence were washed away. Because of the power outage, the best we could do with the bodies was to get them in the market cooler, which was kept going by the generator. So unofficially, anything the coroner might find would probably be compromised. Kim, I’m so sorry. I’ll help you through this any way I can. Right now, we need to go to the sheriff’s office. Then the three of us will drive to the county coroner’s office and the county sheriff’s office. Are you able to do this now?”
“I have no choice. I’m numb right now. I can’t believe anyone could do this to Mom and Dad. They were good, kind people. They always gave people credit and never pushed anyone to pay if they couldn’t. Why, Kyle?”
“I don’t know. I think the theory is that someone was high on dope and did it as a thrill kill, but no one knows right now. There was money in the charity jar and money under the rock, so they don’t think robbery was the motive, and it didn’t appear anything was taken from the store. You’ll have to speak with the sheriff for more theories and details.”
“How did you get involved, Kyle?”
“I was the only medical person available, and the sheriff recruited me to help him with your parents’ bodies and try to determine the time of death. That turned out easy. Your father had broken his watch, no doubt, in the struggle with his assailant. I was glad I could do this for your folks. I treated them well, Kim, with respect, believe me.”
“I know you did. That is the kind of person you are, and I thank you on behalf of my parents.”
Kyle backed the SUV out of the parking lot and began the short drive to the sheriff’s office.
Dewey decided it was time to call on the sheriff, something he was dreading. He walked into the office and smiled at Charlene. “Charlene, I’m here to see the sheriff.”
“He’s in his office, waiting for Kyle to pick up Kim Okamoto at the airport. Then they are coming here, and the three of them will go to the county coroner’s office. I don’t think anyone is looking forward to this afternoon.”
“Maybe I should come back at a better time.”
“No, this is good. It will get his mind off things for a while. Let me buzz him.”
“Sheriff, Dewey is here and would like a brief word with you. Is now a good time?”
“Sure, send him in.”
“Remember, Dewey, a brief word. Don’t draw out whatever you have to say.”
“Yes, I understand and thank you.”
Dewey walked to the sheriff’s office, went in, and closed the door. “Sheriff, it’s time I came clean and told you who I really am. Although I’ve enjoyed being Dewey the windsurfer for these past months, I’m afraid once you run my fingerprints, the truth will come out.”
The sheriff sat up a little straighter, placed his arms on his desk, and folded his hands into each other, anxious to hear Dewey’s confession. “Go ahead, son, I’m all ears.”
Dewey cleared his throat and said, “My real name is Dewey McMaster, also known as the DewMaster to some. I’m the founder and owner of McMaster Enterprises in Salt Lake City, Utah. I’m sort of the Bill Gates of the video gaming world, and now, we are involved in digital work for the movies, hoping to give those California boys a run for their money. I’m worth millions, and I have two doctorate degrees from MIT, one in engineering and one in computer science. I graduated with both degrees when I was twenty-one and had actually made my first million by the time I was twenty. I’m now thirty. I was burned out, my brain felt numb, and I just wanted to escape for a while, get lost where no one knew me. I grew a beard, came here after seeing a special on windsurfing, and had been enjoying life as a nobody windsurfer. Once Danny said you would need to get my fingerprints, I knew it was time to get back to the real world.”
“Holy shit! Even I’ve heard of you. Who knew you were that Dewey. Well, son, I’m glad you’ve let me know who you are. How about we get those fingerprints?”
The sheriff led Dewey out of his office and proceeded to fingerprint him, still amazed that the well-known millionaire had managed to hide his identity in Paia. Good for him, the sheriff decided. He was glad the city had made it possible for him to rest his brain for a bit.
After cleaning up, Dewey shook the sheriff’s hand. “Thank you, Sheriff, I know I can count on you to keep my secret. I’ll tell George and Annie. Th
ey’ve been so kind. I owe them, but that’s it until I’m ready to leave. I’ll stick around until after the services for the Okamotos. I want to pay my respects. I feel like I owe them.”
“Don’t blame yourself for what happened to the Okamotos. Whoever did this terrible thing would probably have killed you too without hesitation. Your secret is safe with me for as long as you like.”
Dewey left the sheriff’s office and walked to the local florist, buying a large bouquet for Annie Boone. She and George had invited him to dinner, and best of all, he learned Layla would be joining them. Dewey dressed in a pair of khaki trousers and a pale blue oxford shirt; he trimmed his beard and cut his sun-bleached hair a little. He used some very expensive cologne and bathed in a soap of the same fragrance. He still wasn’t back to his DewMaster style but much closer.
CHAPTER 13
The sheriff, Kyle, and Kim were on their way to the county coroner’s, all three dreading the moment when Kim had to identify the bodies of his parents. When the time came, Kyle had to grab Kim quickly, as he appeared to wilt when he saw the ashen bodies. The coroner kept the sheets pulled above the slit in their throats, although the sheriff had filled him in on the exact cause of the murders. After seeing the bodies, Kim reconciled himself to the devastating loss and began to sob. The sheriff left him and Kyle in the hallway on a bench, while he went to discuss things with the coroner, in particular if he had found any new evidence on the bodies.
“The killer was right-handed, telling from the way the knife was drawn across their throats. These were not young people, and both were overweight. Those two factors would make the actual slicing harder. The cartilage would be tougher, and excess fat around the neck area of each victim added to the needed strength of the murderer. The CSI team took the recliners to the lab for testing to try and determine the height of the assailant and other pertinent facts. I’ve sent tissue samples to the lab for analysis, but frankly, I’m not expecting to find anything out of the ordinary. The one thing I did find on the upper neck of each victim was what appears to be a mark from a Taser. I’ve sent samples of those areas also to the lab. If it can be determined they were Tasered, then it would make it easier for their throats to be cut. The county sheriff will fill you in on all the aspects of the case. He has my report.”
Maui Murders Page 7
